Vehicle door including a seal or molding

ABSTRACT

A vehicle door includes a door edge, a cable harness that powers electrical components, such as a window regulator inside the door, and runs along the door edge, and a seal or molding that masks the cable harness along the door edge. During assembly, a sub-assembly including a window glass carrier and a window regulator is introduced inside a door hollow box section through an opening. The cable harness can then be introduced into the hollow box section through the opening without forming a supplementary opening through the door edge and require the operator to work blindly. The cable harness runs and connects to the electrical components of the door more simply and less expensively.

[0001] This application claims priority to French Patent Application FR03 04 882 filed on Apr. 18, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle doorincluding a seal or molding that masks a cable harness to an edge of thedoor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Vehicle doors can include electrically-powered equipment, theelectrical supply originating from the vehicle. A cable harness passesfrom the vehicle body to the door through the door edge. A hole betweenthe door hinges in the door edge can be provided for passage of thecable harness. A seal can be provided between the vehicle body and thedoor.

[0004] There are several drawbacks to this vehicle door. In some cases,it is difficult to gain access to the inside of the door to manuallyintroduce the cable harness once the door is assembled. The operatorpositions the harness blindly using one hand, which can result in poorassembly quality. The hole in the edge of the passenger compartment alsoneeds to be large enough to allow passage of the connectors. Further,providing the seal between the vehicle body and the door is expensiveand complex, as it is made from numerous compartments.

[0005] French patent application 2,758,113 discloses a vehicle doorincluding a sealing sleeve applied to an edge of the door where the dooris hinged on the vehicle body. A channel in the sheet metal of the doordefines a passage for the sleeve. There are several drawbacks to thisdoor. For one, the door and the sleeve are complex. It is alsotime-consuming to create the channel in the metalwork of the door.

[0006] The present invention provides a method of electricallyconnecting the electrical components of the door to the body of thevehicle in a manner that is simpler and less expensive than the priorart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The vehicle door of the present invention includes a door edge, acable harness running along the door edge, and a seal or molding maskingthe cable harness along the edge. Preferably, the cable harness issecured to the door edge. In one embodiment, the cable harness issecured inside the seal or molding. Alternatively, the cable harness andthe seal or molding are co-extruded or the seal or molding is moldedover the cable harness.

[0008] The door can further include a hollow box section and a windowglass module projecting from the hollow box section. The cable harnessis located near the region where the window glass module exits from thehollow box section.

[0009] The door can further include a retainer that maintains the cableharness in the region where the window glass module exits from thehollow box section. The retainer is preferably a hook member or amolding.

[0010] The door can further include a trim, and the cable harness islocated between the trim and the hollow box section. The cable harnesspreferably runs behind the trim in the region where the window glassmodule exits from the hollow box section. The door can further include amotor and gear mechanism between the trim and the hollow box section ofthe door that is powered from the cable harness.

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention willbecome clearer from the description which follows of some embodiments ofthe invention provided solely by way of example and with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle door; and

[0013]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates another view of the vehicle door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A vehicle door 10, shown partially and by way of example in FIGS.1 and 2, includes an inner skin 12 and an outer skin 14. The outer skin14 can be the vehicle bodywork. The inner skin 12 and the outer skin 14can be rendered integral, for example, by crimping the outer skin 14onto the inner skin 12. The vehicle door 10 can be hinged on the vehiclebody by hinges 26. The vehicle door 10 can include a hollow box section22, the walls of the hollow box section 22 being the inner skin 12 andthe outer skin 14. The hollow box section 22 is a wet zone in whichequipment, such as a window lifter, can be mounted. By way of the walls,the hollow box section 22 not only includes the skins 12, 14, but also asupport plate 32. The support plate 32 defines the frontier between thewet zone in the hollow box section 22 and a dry zone on the side of thevehicle door 10 directed towards the passenger compartment. The outerskin 14 and the support plate 32 form the faces of the hollow boxsection 22, and the inner skin 12 connects the outer skin 14 and thesupport plate 32. The inner skin 12 forms an edge 13 of the hollow boxsection 22 and of the vehicle door 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinges 26are secured on the edge 13 of the hollow box section 22 and,consequently, on the edge 13 of the vehicle door 10.

[0015] The vehicle door 10 can include electrical equipment, such as anelectric window lifter or regulator, an electric door handle and lock,and a loudspeaker, etc. In FIG. 1, a motor and gear mechanism 28 thatoperates the window lifter is illustrated as an example of the electricequipment. The motor and gear mechanism 28 is powered from a cableharness 20 originating from an orifice 30 in the vehicle body. If thesupport plate 32 completely closes off the zone, the motor and gearmechanism 28 can be mounted in the dry zone and drive a window regulatorin the wet zone. The motor and gear mechanism 28 can then be securedonto the support plate 32 in the dry zone and drive, and the windowregulator is located inside the hollow box section 22.

[0016] The vehicle door 10 can further include a window glass module 24,such as a window glass carrier and regulator. For example, the windowglass module 24 can be a sub-assembly introduced inside the hollow boxsection 22 through an opening 38. One part of the window glass module 24projects from the hollow box section 22, and the window glass module 24is secured to the hollow box section 22. The part of the window glassmodule 24 that projects from the hollow box section 22 is, for example,a window glass frame that guide the window glass when outside the hollowbox section 22. The part of the window glass module 24 that projectsfrom the hollow box section 22 can also be only the rear view mirrorsupport.

[0017] The cable harness 20 extends along an edge 16 of the vehicle door10. A seal or molding 18 masks the cable harness 20 along the edge 16.Therefore, the cable harness 20 can be protected along the region of thevehicle door 10 which is not proximate to the orifice 30.

[0018] The edge 16 can be any edge of the door. In FIG. 1, the cableharness 20 runs along the edge 16 extending along the edge 13 of thevehicle door 10 that carries the hinges 26. Once the vehicle door 10 ismounted on the vehicle, the edge 16 corresponds to the edge 13 of thevehicle door 10. However, it is to be understood that the cable harness20 can extend along an edge on another side of the vehicle door 10. Theedge 16 can be formed by crimping the outer skin 14 to the inner skin12.

[0019] The seal or molding 18 seals between the vehicle door 10 andanother part of the vehicle, such as a wing, another door, or amid-post. The seal or molding 18 extends along the edges of the vehicledoor 10, at least in the lower portion of the vehicle door 10 occupiedby the hollow box section 22. In FIG. 1, the seal or molding 18 extendsalong the edge 16 of the vehicle door 10. The cable harness 20 emergingfrom the orifice 30 can be masked along the edge 16 right up to thewindow glass module 24. The cable harness 20 can then be subsequentlyintroduced into the hollow box section 22 through the opening 38 in thehollow box section 22 in which the window glass module 24 is introduced.Thus, the cable harness 20 can be directed towards the electricalequipment in the vehicle door 10 without having to form a supplementaryopening through the edge 13 of the vehicle door 10 and provide aparticular shaping of the walls of the hollow box section 22. Theelectrical units in the vehicle door 10 can be connected electrically tothe remainder of the vehicle in a simpler and less expensive fashion.Further, by using the seal or molding 18 to mask the cable harness 20, acomplex and expensive seal that joins the orifice 30 and the edge 13 ofthe vehicle door 10 is not needed.

[0020] The cable harness 20 can be fitted with a protective sheathbetween the orifice 30 and the seal or molding 18. The cable harness 20forms an S shape between the orifice 30 and the seal or molding 18 toallow the vehicle door 10 to be opened without the risk of tearing,particularly of the seal or molding 18.

[0021] The seal or molding 18 can be fixed to the cable harness 20 alongthe edge 16. Thus, the seal or molding 18 guides and protects the cableharness 20 along the door edges. Alternatively, the cable harness 20 issecured to the edge 16 by some means other than the seal or molding 18,the latter simply covering the cable harness 20. This allowssimultaneous securing of the cable harness 20 onto the edge 16, thevehicle door 10 or the hollow box section 22 and the covering (foraesthetic and sealing purposes) of the cable harness 20 by the seal ormolding 18. This solution saves time when assembling the vehicle door 10and enhances robustness of assembly because the operator is no longerrequired to perform operations blindly. The cable harness 20 can beintegrally molded or co-extruded with the seal or molding 18 to createone single sub-assembly instead of several parts to be assembled. Thisfurther shortens assembly time of the vehicle door 10 and reduces thenumber of parts. Alternatively, clips along the edge 16 and underneaththe clamping area can hold or secure the cable harness 20 along the edge16. The latter can include a channel inside which the cable harness 20is trapped. The seal or molding 18 can also include a finishing lip toimprove sealing between the vehicle door 10 and the remainder of thevehicle (e.g., another door or vehicle wing).

[0022] The cable harness 20 can be fastened inside the seal or molding18. Thus, the cable harness 20 is placed inside the seal or molding 18without being produced at the same time. This can be done usingadditional clips in the seal or molding 18 which are clipped over thecable harness 20, or using a split lip into which the cable harness 20is introduced.

[0023]FIG. 2 shows the vehicle door 10 of a vehicle without the seal ormolding 18 masking the cable harness 20. The vehicle door 10 includesthe hollow box section 22 and the window glass module 24 projecting fromthe hollow box section 22. The cable harness 20 can be close to thepoint where window glass module 24 exits the hollow box section 22. Whenthe window glass module 24 is introduced into the hollow box section 22,there is a break in the line of sealing between the hollow box section22 and the window glass module 24, in particular, where the part of thewindow glass module 24 projects outside the hollow box section 22. Thecable harness 20 extends along the window glass module 24 at the pointof exit from hollow box section 22. Thus, the cable harness 20 cansupply the electrical equipment without supplementary metalworking, holecutting or metal pressing operations on the vehicle door 10. This allowsthe electrical components in the vehicle door 10 to be electricallyconnected to the vehicle body more simply and robustly.

[0024]FIG. 2 highlights the break in the line of sealing of the vehicledoor 10. The window glass module 24 projects from the hollow box section22 via the opening 38 in the hollow box section 22. A sealing lineextends along the projecting window glass module 24 and the hollow boxsection 22 and adapts to irregularities in the vehicle door 10. Thewindow glass module 24 projecting from the hollow box section 22includes a set-back portion 34 above the hollow box section 22. Theset-back portion 34 consequently interrupts continuity of the doorsealing line. The cable harness 20 can now be applied where the windowglass module 24 exits the hollow box section 22 and through the set-backportion 34. More particularly, the hollow box section 22 includes a wall36 extending above an anti-intrusion bar of the vehicle door 10 (notshown). The anti-intrusion bar increases rigidity of the vehicle door 10in the event of an accident. The opening 38 for introducing the windowglass module 24 is in the wall 36, and the set-back portion 34 is abovethe wall 36. Consequently, the cable harness 20 extends along thejunction between the projecting portion of the window glass module 24and the hollow box section 22. The cable harness 20 fits into theset-back portion 34 between the projecting portion of the window glassmodule 24 and the hollow box section 22.

[0025] The vehicle door 10 can further include a trim 40, showndiagrammatically as dashed lines in FIG. 2. The trim 40 lines the insideof the vehicle door 10 and can be applied against the hollow box section22. The hollow box section 22 encloses the wet zone, the wet zone beingseparated from the dry zone by the support plate 32. The support plate32 carries equipment (such as the motor and gear mechanism 28) situatedin the dry zone. The trim 40 covers the support plate 32 and hides theequipment. The trim 40 is fastened to the hollow box section 22 at thewall 36 and covers the wall 36 along the opening 38 and up to theset-back portion 34 of the window glass module 24. The trim 40 alsocovers the support plate 32 and extends along the edge 13 of the vehicledoor 10.

[0026] The cable harness 20 passes between the trim 40 and the hollowbox section 22. Thus, the cable harness 20 can electrically connect theequipment supported by the support plate 32 and hidden by the trim 40without additional tooling operations needed on the vehicle door 10. Bybeing close to the point where window glass module 24 exits from thehollow box section 22, the cable harness 20 faces the trim 40 beneathwhich it can be introduced.

[0027] In FIG. 1, the vehicle door 10 includes a retainer 42 which hidesand maintains the cable harness 20 in place where the window glassmodule 24 exits the hollow box section 22. In one example, the retainer42 is a hook member, such as a clip, that grips the cable harness 20.The retainer 42 can also be a foamed material. Alternatively, theretainer 42 can be a specific molding that allows the cable harness 20to be immobilized and the continuity of the sealing line to bemaintained. The retainer 42 can close off the set-back portion 34.

[0028] Where window glass module 24 leaves the hollow box section 22,the cable harness 20 can be provided with a protective sleeve 44, likethe one used between the orifice 30 and the seal or molding 18. Theprotective sleeve 44 also protects the cable harness 20 between the sealor molding 18 and the point where window glass module 24 leaves thehollow box section 22. The protective sleeve 44 can extend through theset-back portion 34. The retainer 42 mates with the protective sleeve44.

[0029] The features relating to masking of the cable harness 20 by theseal or molding 18 can be considered independently of the other featuresof the vehicle door 10, notably the constitution of the vehicle door 10by the inner skin 12 and the outer skin 14. In particular, the maskingby the seal or molding 18 can be considered independently of the cableharness 20 at the point where window glass module 24 leaves the hollowbox section 22. Masking of the cable harness 20 along the edge 16 makesit possible to offset and protect the cable harness 20 along the vehicledoor 10 where the cable harness 20 leaves the vehicle body through theorifice 30. This makes it possible to subsequently connect theelectrical units of the vehicle door 10 and take advantage of somealready existing shaping in the vehicle door 10, such as the opening 38for the passage of the window glass module 24. Thus, the electricalunits of the vehicle door 10 can be connected more simply and lessexpensively.

[0030] Further, the features relating to the cable harness 20 at thepoint where window glass module 24 leaves the hollow box section 22 canalso be considered independently of the other characteristics of thevehicle door 10, notably the constitution of the vehicle door 10 by theinner skin 12 and the outer skin 14. In particular, the cable harness 20at the point where window glass module 24 leaves the hollow box section22 can be considered independently of the masking of the cable harness20 by the seal or molding 18 along the edge 16. By locating the cableharness 20 where the window glass module 24 leaves the hollow boxsection 22, it is possible to take advantage of a shaping present in thevehicle door 10 for introducing the electrical supply independently ofthe path the cable harness 20 has followed previously. For example, theorifice 30 in the bodywork can open up at the height of the dooranti-intrusion bar. Thus, the electrical components in the vehicle door10 can be connected more simply and less expensively.

[0031] The vehicle door 10 (including the cable harness 20 masked alongthe edge 16 by the seal or molding 18 and the cable harness 20 which isat the point where window glass module 24 leaves hollow box section 22)makes it possible to offset and protect the cable harness 20 along thevehicle door 10 and then to take advantage of the break in the doorsealing line. Thus, the orifice 30 can be left where it is or shiftedabove the hinge axis, and the passage of the cable harness 20 along thevehicle door 10 does not require any particular supplementary shaping ofthe vehicle door 10. Thus, the electrical components of the vehicle door10 can be connected more simply and less expensively.

[0032] Obviously, this invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed by way of example. Thus, the break in the door sealing line isnot limited to the set-back portion 34 descried. Nor is the vehicle door10 itself limited to the structure described. Further, the vehicle door10 is not limited to having a side opening.

[0033] The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles ofthe invention. Many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferredembodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, so that oneof ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modificationswould come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For thatreason the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

1. A vehicle door module for a vehicle door having a door edgecomprising: a cable harness running along the door edge; and a sealmasking the cable harness along the door edge.
 2. The door moduleaccording to claim 1, wherein the seal secures the cable harness alongthe door edge.
 3. The door module according to claim 1, wherein thecable harness is secured inside the seal.
 4. The door module accordingto claim 1, wherein the cable harness and seal are co-extruded.
 5. Thedoor module according to claim 1, wherein the seal is molded over thecable harness.
 6. The door module according to claim 1, wherein thecable harness is secured to the door edge.
 7. The door module accordingto claim 1, further comprising a hollow box section and a window glassmodule projecting from the hollow box section, and the cable harness isproximate to a region where the window glass module exits the hollow boxsection.
 8. The door module according to claim 7, wherein the sealsecures the cable harness along the door edge.
 9. The door moduleaccording to claim 7, wherein the cable harness is secured inside theseal.
 10. The door module according to claim 7, wherein the cableharness and seal are co-extruded.
 11. The door module according to claim7, wherein the seal is molded over the cable harness.
 12. The doormodule according to claim 7, wherein the cable harness is secured to thedoor edge.
 13. The door module according to claim 7, further comprisinga retainer which retains the cable harness in the region where thewindow glass module exits the hollow box section.
 14. The door moduleaccording to claim 13, wherein the retainer is a hook.
 15. The doormodule according to claim 13, wherein the retainer is a molding.
 16. Thedoor module according to claim 7, further comprising a trim, and thecable harness is located between the trim and the hollow box section.17. The door module according to claim 16, wherein the cable harnessruns behind the trim where the window glass module exits the hollow boxsection.
 18. The door according to claim 16, further comprising a motorand gear mechanism located between the trim and the hollow box section,and the motor and gear mechanism is powered from the cable harness.